Kazakhstan is ready to expand bilateral relations with U.S.

Kazakhstan is ready to expand the bilateral relations with the U.S., Kazakh presidency reported.

Such a statement was made by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev during the meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns in Astana on May 8.

During the meeting the parties discussed the main spheres of the bilateral relations, including trade, economy and investments.

Nazarbayev and Burns also discussed the key issues of Kazakhstan's forthcoming accession to the WTO. Moreover the parties exchanged views on topical aspects of the international agenda, including the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

Burns conveyed warm greetings from President Barack Obama and stressed that the U.S. is committed to a long-term strategic partnership with Kazakhstan.

Within the visit to Astana, Burns also met with Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrissov.

During the meeting the parties discussed the state and prospects of cooperation between the two states in the political, economic and trade fields, as well as the implementation of the agreements reached by Kazakhstan President and his U.S. counterpart at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague in March.

The parties noted that Kazakhstan and the U.S. are successfully cooperating on global security issues, primarily in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. diplomat expressed his gratitude to Kazakhstan for its contributions and initiatives in this area.

The two sides also noted that a number of Kazakh-American bilateral structures, such as the Commission on Strategic Partnership, Joint Commission on energy partnership and the Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation are working successfully.

Kazakh Foreign Minister noted that the U.S. high-tech companies have shown more interest in joint projects in Kazakhstan in recent years.

The interlocutors exchanged views on topical issues of international and regional security policy, including the situation in Ukraine. The parties stressed the need to observe the agreements reached in Geneva on April 17, and expressed the hope that the parties involved in the conflict would show restraint and avoid further bloodshed.

Burns expressed special gratitude to Kazakhstan for its contribution to ensuring Afghanistan's security and rehabilitation. He assured that the United States, after withdrawal of the international coalition from Afghanistan would continue supporting sustainable development in Afghanistan together with its partners, including Kazakhstan.

Berns and Idrissov agreed to continue regular dialogue at all levels and to make additional efforts to strengthen and expand the Kazakh-U.S. strategic partnership.